Rural nursing students' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about HIV/AIDS: a research brief

The purpose of this study was to explore rural student nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about caring for people with HIV/AIDS. The results from this study were consistent with other past studies where judgmental attitudes toward patients with HIV/AIDS were demonstrated. Data indicate that nursing students' attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge about HIV/AIDS have not changed over the past decade. Based on these findings, many implications for nurse educators exist. Nurse educators need to examine approaches to teaching about HIV/AIDS that can increase knowledge and influence the actual treatment of individuals who have this disease. In addition, the focus for rural nursing programs should be on increasing the understanding of the impact of HIV/AIDS on rural communities and to help project future needs for HIV/AIDS-related services.